Finding out that her husband was a bigamist didn’t devastate Portia Stefani; she held her head high when she forced him out of her life. But losing her beloved music school as a result of the traitorous bastard’s gambling debts almost destroyed her. The only way she’ll be able to make ends meet is to accept a lucrative tutoring position in remote Cornwall. What Portia hasn’t anticipated is the … life-altering impact that her mesmerizing new employer has on her.
Stacy Harrington learned the hard way to keep people at a distance. Playing the piano is the only thing that makes his solitary life enjoyable these days, and he’ll be damned if he allows his albinism to keep him from everything he loves. Bringing a private music tutor into his home is disruptive, but it’s the only solution. Unfortunately, nothing could have prepared him for the overwhelming attraction he feels toward his fiery new employee.
It’s not long before a shared passion for music develops into something infinitely deeper. But when ghosts from the past—along with some very dark secrets—emerge to threaten everything they’ve built, can Stacy and Portia continue to make beautiful music together? Or will their happily ever after end on a painful, discordant note?
Praise for Minerva Spencer’s Outcasts series:
“Minerva Spencer’s writing is sophisticated and wickedly witty. Dangerous is a delight from start to finish with swashbuckling action, scorching love scenes, and a coolly arrogant hero to die for. Spencer is my new auto-buy!”
–NYT Bestselling Author Elizabeth Hoyt
“[SCANDALOUS is] A standout…Spencer’s brilliant and original tale of the high seas bursts with wonderfully real protagonists, plenty of action, and passionate romance.”
–Publishers Weekly STARRED REVIEW
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What more could I ask for in a story? From this book …nothing! It satisfied imaginations I never knew I had. This story has a lot going for it. There is dealing with a genetic disposition called Albinism and the man who lived with it. The authors took the time to create an image of what life was like for Stacy. All the precautions he had to take in order to protect himself every day. Then there was Portia from Europe. Half Italian and half English. She had married a piano virtuoso for over ten years when he met with an accident and could no longer play. But Portia was even more talented than him but Ivo never let her shine. When he left her with a mountain of debt, she had to close her beloved music school. Out of desperation she deceived a client and went for a position meant for Ivo. She just had to hope she could convince them with her talent and not be tossed out on her ear. Stacy was a little put out by the deception but could not deny her talent for teaching him to strive to the next level of playing. He kept her on. The Albinism never bothered Portia she was familiar with the condition. Stacy was just as handsome and more so in her eyes. Stacy’s attraction to Portia finally could not be denied. Portia finally met someone who matched her desire and passion in having sɛx. Their feeling grew. Their future was strewn with obstacles, fear, blackmail, their mysterious pasts, greed, family secrets, attempted murder, murder, confusion and pain. This book is so good I read it twice. Now that says something. I normally do not have the inclination to do that. But this book was so well written, the main characters were alive and passionate. Portia’s character had a temper. Never in all my years have I read a character’s rage and confusion written as well as Portia’s. Jealousy was usually the cause. Other than that Stacy and Portia were like two stubborn mules that kept head butting. But their love for each other got them through. When Stacy and Portia went to visit another family, Portia had no idea how much danger she was in. Someone wanted her dead. Three failed attempts and the perpetrator did not let up. I loved this story and can’t wait to read more from these authors.
4.5 Stars
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving an honest review. As I’ve said before, I always give honest reviews whether people appreciate them or not.
This story begins with Portia, alone in a coach, on her way to fill the position of music teacher to a man that loves piano. Portia is nervous, She’s accepted the job pretending to be her deceased husband and doesn’t know if they will keep her on after she arrives and isn’t him. Eustace, or Stacy, Harrington has few things he loves completely, but one of them is playing the piano. He’s excited that the great Ivo Stefani is on his way to his home to teach him piano. When Portia arrives, the butler is shocked that Mr. Stefani is actually Mrs. Stefani but Stacy okay’s her staying the night. Stacy lives with his Aunt Frances at Whitethorn Manor. His aunt is who raised him from birth. Stacy doesn’t really go out much as he has Albinism, so he is very sensitive to sun and light in general. People generally look at him in horror because of his lack of color and his eyes, or lack of color in his eyes.
Portia is half English and half Italian and was raised in Rome. She and her friends had a music school in London towards the end of the Napoleonic Wars, but her husband had injured his hand and wasn’t really a part of it. The school had to close and her group of friends all went separate ways. So here she is in Cornwall, at this manor giving lessons to her employer and trying desperately to stop staring at him. She isn’t, however, staring at him in horror but in complete admiration and lust. It’s just as shocking to her as it is to him. Stacy certainly finds that he not only appreciates her piano lessons, but he likes her! They generally get along well and can barely keep their eyes off each other.
I have never read anything by Ms. Spencer and Ms. LaViolette so I wasn’t sure what this book would be like. Wow! Okay, this is set towards the end of the Regency Period in England. While it’s one of my favorite romance novel periods, you never know what you will get. This is…a really good book, a little Gothic, some Regency and romance to tie it all together. I thought the characters were well written and very engaging. The twists and turns that complete the story make it intense and gripping. Since this is the first story of the Academy of Love series, I now have to go and read the other books in this series. The second book, A Figure of Love (The Academy of Love Book 2), is already released and A Portrait of Love (The Academy of Love Book 3) is up for pre-order and releases December 29, 2020. I can’t wait to read more from these authors!
I loved this book. Portia is a strong women who knows what she wants and goes after it all. She will even lie to achieve what she wants. She is a women who is strong and has had some hardships. I was lost in the story and loved it. I love the regency novels especially if they contain steam. Great read cannot wait for the rest of the series. Hope the next books are as good as this one.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I really liked this book. It began with deception and included betrayal and intrigue. There were many steamy scenes (you can skip them as I do), but the romance was wonderful and was perfect for the characters. I liked how the characters complimented each other so well and their dialogue was brilliant. It had great characters you could connect with and action that made your heart pound. It had everything you want in a romance as well as a great plot. I would definitely suggest reading this book soon!
Overall: Good series beginner
Type: M/F romance
Series: standalone but beginning of a series
Story: Read the blurb – no spoilers here.
Humor: some
Drama: some but not dark
Angst: some but not dark
Heroine/Hero: she’s a piano instructor / he’s a reclusive peer taking piano lessons
Personal notes: I enjoy historical romance, especially if there’s a bit of an unusual twist. This was a first read of this author by me. I enjoyed the story and the unusual characters. I didn’t really expect the ending but things wrapped up nicely. Very steamy between the characters but well written.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The Music of Love, by Minerva Spencer. I am blown away by how wonderfully written this book is. Minerva please take a seat with James Patterson you deserve it. Minerva like so many of other authors, has a way of telling a story that sweeps you into a world of romance, suspense, drama and betrayal. And lets not forget the many passionate and steamy trysts taking place throughout the manor.
I especially loved the music room scene. I shan’t say anymore about that. But people hold on to your hats. Whew! It was gooood.
I love a man who knows how to claim a woman, but I digress. Back to the book. Clean minds here people. I have to keep telling myself this as I write this review. Where was I?
Oh yes. For those of us who are new to Minerva’s writing. She has written this book, just as if Minerva was telling a story only to you. The book provided enough backstory for your imagination, explaining in detail what’s happening in each scene. The story is easy to follow.
The book wasn’t choppy, nor did it leave incomplete closing points. There are a number of characters introduced. Each character played a part that contributed to the story/ or plot up to the end of the book. All characters that were introduced, provided the reader with information that helped them to visualize that specific characters part as they moved through the story. Take for example the description of Stacy’s character.
From Stacy’s hair to his eye colors, to his muscular body shape, helped me imagine a devilishly handsome, strong man. A man who moves through this book with charm, grace, dominance and power that had Portia salivating for him every time the man looked at her. I mean no wonder the child never wore any underwear. With that, lets get to the juicy tidbits of the story. Stacy our lead male character has sent out a request for piano lessons.
Portia our lead female character, finds herself left high and dry by her deceased husband, answers the correspondence and leaves the chaotic world of London and travels to Cornwall out in the country. Not expecting Portia, Stacy gives her a month probation to see if she’s a good enough piano teacher as she claims to be. Well, after the third day that probation went sailing out the window. Stacy finds himself enchanted by Portia, while Portia is curios to know the man behind the dark shaded glasses. She gets her answer in a barn with a number of people in the stall next door.
I mean the horses were not the only ones getting busy in the stalls. Stacy and Portia passion exploded like fireworks. I think that was the best quickie that they ever had! The horses had to smoke a cigarette after that one. Back to the story.
So, after that Stacy and Portia confess that they have strong feelings for one another and that they love each other. Special license anyone? Before the I do’s mayhem breaks out. People are robbed and shot. Some are killed. Some are kidnapped.
Others are accused of being insane. And one even came back from the dead. Oh and lets not for get the sister-in-law that makes mother-in-laws look like Sister Theresa. Yep, this book reads like a Minerva Spencer book. Yes.
Yes. A thousand times yes. I recommend this book with two snaps and get a room you two. Until next time my fellow readers…read on! I voluntary reviewed this ARC after receiving a free gifted copy.
Portia Stefani coped reasonably well upon learning that her husband was, in fact, already married, simply ousting him from her life. But that still left her with his mountain of debts, forcing her to close their beloved music school. Desperate for funds, she accepts a generous salary to teach piano at a remote Cornwall estate, hoping she won’t be turned away when her prospective employer learns she is a woman, but she’s wholly unprepared for the startling attraction she feels for him.
Stacy Harrington has led a very solitary existence, keeping people at a distance for his own self-preservation. He suffers from albinism and judgmental people make it more comfortable for him to restrict his social activities. Playing the piano is Stacy’s outlet and a private tutor seems the perfect solution, though he’s completely surprised by his attraction to the fiery half-Italian.
Their love of music rapidly leads to a much deeper connection between Stacy and Portia, but secrets from both their pasts soon crop up to threaten their fledgling relationship and it becomes very uncertain the future will see them together.
This story was a rollercoaster of emotional ups and downs. Stacy and Portia went through so much together and their chemistry was off the charts. Even though they were extremely volatile together, these two made such a great pair and their loyalty to each other was lovely. This had a very gothic feel to it with various villainous characters about to keep me intrigued and lots of secrets being revealed to keep me guessing. I really enjoyed this story and the writing style and hope to continue the series.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Minerva Spence books are always so thrilling and beautifully written every story has something special about it .
This was just so much fun to read! Really exciting and heartwarming.
I liked this least of all her books. The hero just didn’t cut it for me.
Unconventional
Portia is a widow running on the reputation of her husband’s genius as a pianist, only she’s better than he could’ve ever been. Stacy Harrington is a recluse by choice because of his physical condition. When he hires Portia as his music teacher their relationship quickly changes to lovers. Problems arise from different directions until a killer is revealed. A fantastic start in a new series. You won’t be disappointed.
The Music of Love (The Academy of Love Series Book 1)
by Minerva Spencer
What an amazing start to what looks like an awesome new series!! I loved Portia and Stacy, their chemistry had the perfect amount of sizzle and I loved their wit and dry humor in their conversations they felt real to me. I loved the story line Minerva Spencer kept me involved in the story. I enjoy this and can’t wait to read the next one!! Love love her stories she’s an extremely talented author!